Legal News Articles - Automotive

Santa Clara, CA: Yet another Takata air bag recall is in the works. Announced this week, the recall involves 2.7 million air bag inflators made between 2005 and 2012 and installed in Ford, Nissan and Mazda vehicles sold in the US. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) website, as of January 19, 2017, some 42,000,000 vehicles are affected by Takata airbag recalls.

Miami, FL:Airbag injuries suffered by unsuspecting victims are frustrating enough when caused by a safety device designed to protect, rather than injure. The massive Takata airbag recall involving millions of vehicles is the most widely-cited example of the problem. However a lesser-known issue, but one just as compelling involve used airbags and recycled airbags that have the capability of injuring, or causing death.

Santa Clara, CA: $553.6 million in settlements has been agreed in multi-district litigation (MDL) involving Toyota, Subaru, Mazda and BMW, which will see the automakers pay the sum to end claims brought by plaintiffs over alleged defective Takata airbags. To date, the airbags, which can explode, have been linked with 11 deaths in the US.

Washington, DC: In a potentially crushing blow to General Motors, the US Supreme Court has declined to consider an appeal from the automaker asking for a legal shield to protect GM from lawsuits related to faulty ignition switches on its vehicles.

Kansas City, MO: Recent reports of airbag injuries suffered by a young woman in an older-model car that had been in an accident and returned to the road with a replacement airbag, together with media reports originating from Kansas City with regard to recycled airbags, points to an entirely new issue with recalled airbags, and accompanying airbag lawsuits.

Santa Clara, CA: Recalled airbags may be recycled as replacement airbags in vehicles that have been in accidents, according to a news report on the Kansas City news station, KSHB.com. In an interview with KSHB, Carfax representative Christopher Basso states that it’s not uncommon to find recycled airbags used to replace deployed ones, which may be dangerous. Basso told KSHB that while recycled airbags may be less expensive, recalled airbags could potentially slip through the cracks and possibly be placed into repaired or used cars.

Mansfield, TX: The advertisements are everywhere: on television, and on the radio in practically every state in the nation. Easy money, provided you own your own vehicle within a certain age parameter. If you own your car, you can qualify for a car title loan on the spot. It’s quick and easy.

Abilene, TX: Texas is one of two US states (the other being New Mexico) that as yet does not observe any kind of blanket arbitration protocol for the resolution of disputes involving the car title loan. The latter is a form of financing akin to a payday loan that extends quick cash to consumers, often with no questions asked and exorbitant annual rates of interest that can run into the hundreds of percent.